Review: Bond is back in 'Skyfall'

Published: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:21 p.m.

After the simultaneously dreary and overly frenetic slog that was “Quantum of Solace,” fans of James Bond were understandably worried about his next outing. But the fans needn't have worried; as it turns out, James Bond is still in very capable hands, and “Skyfall” is one of his best adventures in decades.

Facts

‘Skyfall'

With its sure-handed direction, more than capable cast, airtight yet nuanced script and some of the most exciting action sequences this side of “The Avengers,” it's an absolute blast from start to finish that will make longtime fans cheer and show neophytes what gives 007 his enduring appeal.

The movie opens with one of the most sensational action sequences in Bond's long history. Bond (Daniel Craig) is chasing an enemy agent through Istanbul in an attempt to recover a hard drive containing a list of all of MI6's undercover agents in terror organizations throughout the world. As the chase progresses, Bond careens through the city and across the rooftops on foot and then by car, motorcycle and train.

The sequence is a virtuoso effort on the part of director Sam Mendes and his crew (one of several throughout the picture); despite the vast scope of the sequence and the technical difficulty of many of the stunts, we're always clearly aware of what's going on, where the various characters are and what they're doing. It's a huge relief to see a director take this approach when nausea-inducing camera movements and split-second editing are still in vogue when it comes to blockbusters.

As the sequence concludes, M (Judi Dench), Bond's longtime superior, orders another MI6 agent to shoot the enemy agent from afar. The shot hits Bond instead, seemingly sending him to his death while letting the agent slip away. Bond, of course, survives (though it's a little annoying that we're never shown exactly how he survived), but decides to go into early retirement, spending his days and nights at a beachside bar. Meanwhile M is dealing with threats to MI6 on multiple fronts: The British government, in the form of Gareth Malory (Ralph Fiennes, bereft of his Voldemort makeup), launches an inquiry of the agency at the same time Silva (Javier Bardem), a figure from M's past, begins of series of devastating attacks on it. The attacks prompt Bond to return to active duty, and the rest of the story concerns his efforts to show he hasn't lost a step while simultaneously trying to stop Silva from destroying MI6.

The script is a top-notch collaboration among Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan (Purvis and Wade both worked on the two previous Daniel Craig entries in the Bond franchise). The primary plot is full of clever twists and turns, and it delivers all of the classic Bond staples: Fast cars, exotic locales, beautiful women falling for Bond's charms, etc. (Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe, respectively, get the “good” and “bad” Bond girl roles.) But it also goes much deeper, exploring the complicated relationship between M and Bond, especially in light of what Bond perceives as a betrayal on her part.

The inquiry subplot also allows the writers to delve into the question of the relevancy of gunslinging agents in an age when electronic intelligence is on the rise. It's one the sharpest scripts in a Bond movie ever, and it's peppered with great quips and subtle nods to Bond's long cinematic lineage, showing that the writers truly get the essence of 007.

Finally, the cast all turn in great performances. Craig gives a well-rounded performance, bringing a tremendous physical presence to the screen as well as the ability to portray the subtle character nuances the script demands of him. Dench brings her trademark acerbic wit to bear, but she also shows vulnerability and tenderness as the agency she's dedicated her life to comes under siege and she has to place her life in the hands of someone she nearly killed. As for the newcomers, Fiennes does very well showing there's more to his government bureaucrat than meets the eye, while Bardem has a ball as the villain, a truly sinister beast beneath a charming exterior.

“Skyfall” is a great example of what a modern Bond should be: The classic formula updated with modern trappings. It's perhaps the best James Bond of Daniel Craig's tenure, and it shows in no uncertain terms that Bond is back.

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